Help these kids!!
Iraq heavy metal band Acrassicauda recently found themselves the subject of Vice Films’ documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad, directed by Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti, and despite garnering much buzz at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, the band was hardly hobnobbing with Brad and Paris on the red carpet. They’re consigned to living in squalid conditions in Damascus, Syria, where they are currently residing as war refugees.
Vice initially reported on the Iraqi heavy metal band in their monthly magazine around the time of the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, and the printed interview showed a band feeling a newfound rush of freedom and eager to start playing shows in the new, free Iraq.
Click to viewtrailer for the movie
On Oct. 10, Acrassicauda’s refugee visas in Syria will run out and their expulsion is very likely, again despite media statements to the contrary. This is likely a death sentence for the members of the band, for daring to play the infidel music of heavy metal. The band has already received many death threats.
Vice Films have set up a donation site for the band and are hoping to raise $20,000 before their visas run out, to pay for flights out of Syria and basic survival necessities once they get to their safe haven. Time is quickly running out and, as the host site reminds us, even an affordable $10 donation will make a difference. If you love heavy metal, or simply don’t take your freedom and life for granted, a Paypal site has been set up for donations at: heavymetalinbaghdad.com/donations.html.
I've donated $10, but I get paid later this week and will donate more. This is fucking ridiculous. Tell everyone you know. Help save these guys! The website is www.heavymetalinbaghdad.com